To become a better writer, read as much as you can
Points and comments are a snapshot, not live.
The author argues aspiring writers must read extensively to develop their craft.
T.R. Napper states that reading widely and well is the one golden rule for becoming a better writer, criticizing aspiring writers who claim they are too busy to read. He cites three reasons: reading teaches craft (e.g., instilling structure unconsciously), inspires ideas across genres, and changes brain structure to improve attention span and flow state. He contrasts the 'reading brain' with the 'digital brain' damaged by phone addiction, arguing that reading builds the stamina needed to write. Napper reads 52 books a year and says even a few weeks of nightly reading can rewire the brain for writing.
The piece is from his blog nappertime.com, where he promotes his book 'This Machine Kills Billionaires'.
What commenters are saying
Commenters largely agree with the core advice, with some defending the author's profane tone as deliberate voice rather than abuse. One top comment notes the post 'reeks of pure humanity' and feels nostalgic. Another commenter splits the thread: they agree great writing requires reading but argue the author's 'fuck you' tone is off-putting, and that being well-read does not guarantee original work-citing fantasy writers who produce Tolkien knockoffs. A practical observation emerges: reading technical documents and AI output (like Claude) creates bad writing habits, such as overusing 'shall' and passive voice. One commenter notes screen time is scattered, making sustained book reading harder, but another counters that Stephen King recommends carrying a book for 10-minute increments.